Alicia Nieman

Disappointment sometimes leads to a new way to win. From age 12 in Lordstown, Ohio, Meagan Gibson knew she wanted to play college volleyball. Practicing, playing and suffering through injuries paid off through a scholarship from Fairmont State University—but it came with a price.

Fairmont State University senior Alicia Nieman received a $2,500 study abroad scholarship from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Nieman is the first Fairmont State University student in recent history to receive the scholarship and spent five weeks this summer in South Africa.

On a warm day in early June, Fairmont State senior, Alicia Nieman and I meet at a local lunch spot. To most people we may look like colleagues or friends who are taking some time to reconnect. In actuality I am stealing a few moments of her time to witness her crossroad moment and to share it with you.

During two events this fall, Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College Student Government members collected hundreds of pounds of donated goods to benefit local non-profit agencies.

With the theme, "Metropolitan Mania," Homecoming 2010 for Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College, set for Oct. 25-30, will be a week packed with alumni, athletics, student and community events.